Overhead disc record grounding apparatus

In a playback system including a base;

• a turntable rotatably mounted on said base;
• said turntable having a surface for supporting a disc record;
• said disc record having a centering hole;
• a major surface of said disc record having geometrical variations in a spiral groove with information recorded therein;
• said turntable having a centering hub for concentric alignment of said disc record by engagement of said hub in said centering hole;
• a pickup arm carrying a signal pickup;
• said signal pickup during playback subject to a cooperative engagement with said spiral groove for retrieving said information when relative motion is established between said signal pickup and said disc record;
• said disc record having a conductive coating;
• a portion of said disc record conductive coating being present in an area surrounding said centering hole;
• a disc record grounding apparatus comprising:
• (a) a point of reference potential for said playback system;
• (b) a cover mounted to said base for motion between an open position and a closed position;
• (c) a conductive spring element rotatably secured to said cover;
• wherein when said cover is disposed in said closed position, the axis of rotation of said spring element is substantially collinear with the axis of rotation of said turntable centering hub;
• (d) means for electrically coupling said spring element to said point of reference potential;
• and
• e. a conductive pad affixed to said spring element such that a movement of said cover to said closed position causes said spring element to firmly press said conductive pad against said conductive coating of said disc record, thereby mechanically and electrically coupling said spring element to said disc record conductive coating.